Ilex hybrid variety named `Xia Xiang`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of evergreen holly which is particularly distinguished in that it combines desirable landscape and production traits from two species, Ilex myrtifolia and Ilex opaca, which distinguish it from all other forms of Ilex. Plants have a densely branched compact pyramidal crown with fine textures deep green leaves. Pistillate flowers are borne abundantly on initial spring shoots giving a well distributed fruit set. Berries mature to a colorful red in the early fall then persist throughout the winter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

My invention is new, distinctive and useful form of Ilex originated byme by selection of a superior seeding from a group of open pollinatedseedlings of Ilex myrtifolia×opaca `Tanager`, an unpatented variety.

The objective of my breeding was to create a hardy versatile decorativeshrub which combined the texture and compact growth habit of Ilexmyrtifolia with the hardiness and versatility of Ilex opaca. Thisinvention comprises a novel combination of traits from the two specieswhich distinguish it from all over forms of Ilex of which I am aware.The new clone has been named the `Xia Xiang` variety.

The following combination of traits is exhibited by the variety:

(a) densely branched, vigorous, symmetrical crown requiring minimalshearing,

(b) compact, upright growth habit with strong apical dominance,

(c) adapted to a wide range of landsacpe environments,

(d) evergreen minutely spine tipped serrulate leaves which are borne onbranches that become pendulous when plants are not sheared,

(e) pistillate flowers borne abundantly on initial spring shoots,

(f) well distributed fruit set with berries maturing to a colorful redin the early fall then persisting throughout the winter,

(g) cold hardiness, heat and drought tolerance equivalent to Ilex opaca.

`Xia Xiang` variety was selected as a replacement for Ilex×attenuata`Foster 2` in the landscape. Foster holly is planted extensively in thesouthern United States but has a number of inferior traits such as lackof crown symmetry and poor apical dominance without frequent extensiveshearing during production. Production trials comparing `Xia Xiang`holly to Foster holly reveal that the self-branching apical dominantgrowth habit of `Xia Xiang` reduces pruning expenses and the number ofculls as compared to Foster holly. Improvements over the female parent,`Tanager`, include strong apical dominance of the plant's centralleader, more symmetrical crown development without extensive shearing,greener foliage and improved environmental tolerance to cold, droughtand heat.

Asexual propagation of my new variety by cutting has been accomplishedat Decatur, Ala. and Loxley, Ala. It has been demonstrated that theunique combination of characteristics has been established andtransmitted to successive generations.

It is anticipated that the new cultivar will be marketed while bearingthe DIXIE DREAM HOLLY trademark.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of my new variety ofIlex during fall and early winter as depicted in color as true as isreasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of thecharacter. The specimens illustrated were being grown in the ground atDecatur, Ala. and in containers at Loxley, Ala.

FIG. 1 illustrates fruit and foliage shape, size and color,

FIG. 2 illustrates fruit set within foliage samples,

FIG. 3 illustrates uniformity of variety in a production environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of my new variety of Ilex madefrom observation of plants growing in the ground at Decatur, Ala. Colorterminology is in accordance with the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England.

Parentage: Open pollinated seedling of Ilex myrtifolia×opaca `Tanager`.

Foliage:

Type.--Evergreen, coriaceous, semi-glossy. Leaves primarilyoblanceolate, remotely serrulate with minute spine-tipped teeth, oftenrevolute.

Size.--Leaf size varies with light intensity and fertility program whereplants are growing. Size is generally in the range of 3-5 cm long and0.5-1.5 cm wide.

Petiole.--Approximately 2 to 5 mm.

Color.--Mature leaves, upper surface is closest to Green Group 133A;under surface ranges from Yellow Green Group 144A to Yellow Green Group153D as leaf orientation to sunlight varies. Petiole and midrib, varyingdegrees of red coloration.

Stems:

Color.--On new growth stems are Purple Group 79A then mature to GreyBrown Group 199C.

Flowering: Flowers are pistillate and typical of the genus in morphologyand timing. Flowers are not seen to be particularly distinguishing.

Fruit:

Color.--Dull to Semi-glossy, Red Group 44A.

Size.--Drupe, globose to slightly ellipsoid, approximately 5 mm.

Plant growth characteristics: Plants have a compact pyramidal habit ofgrowth with six year individuals attaining a size of approximately 2 min height and 0.7 m in breadth at the base. Crowns are dense and uniformwith minimum shearing. Trunks have a silver gray appearance and whenexposed provide a nice contrast to the green foliage and red fruit.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Ilex plant, substantially asherein shown and described, characterized particularly as to novelty bythe unique combination of:(a) a vigorous densely branched shrub with asymmetrical crown with only minimal shearing, (b) compact, uprightgrowth habit with strong apical dominance, adapted to a wide range oflandscape applications, (c) evergreen minutely spine tipped serrulatedeep green leaves which are borne on branches that become pendulous whenplants are not sheared, (d) pistillate flowers borne abundantly oninitial spring shoots giving a well distributed fruit set with berriesmaturing to a colorful red in the early fall then persisting throughoutthe winter, (e) cold hardiness, heat and drought tolerance equivalent toIlex opaca.